ESSAY’D: Profiling Detroit Arts, 750 Words at a Time
Four writers profile 30 Detroit artists in new Wayne State University Press book, party @MOCAD on Thursday
![](https://wdet.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/essayd_1_gp9mGax.jpg)
![](/media/wdet/assets/2016/08/02/essayd_1.jpg?s=2bd480bc2236ae46573e&r=fit%7C450%7C1125)
At the site essayd.org, four local writers from disparate backgrounds, connected only by a shared fascination and appreciation for fine art, regularly contribute 750 word profiles on a number of high-caliber, Detroit-based visual artists.
![](/media/wdet/assets/2016/08/02/essayd.jpg?s=2bd480bc2236ae46573e&r=fit%7C450%7C1125)
They’re respectful, accessible, and informative write-ups that capture the city’s contemporary art scene. So far, they’ve examined more than 50 painters, photographers and sculptors, including Frank Pahl, Lynne Avadenka, Clinton Snider and Corine Vermeulen.
![](/media/wdet/assets/2016/08/02/essayd_1_gp9mGax.jpg?s=2bd480bc2236ae46573e&r=fit%7C450%7C1125)
Wayne State University Press took notice and compiled the first 30 essays for a book titled ESSAYD//30 Detroit Artists. There’s a book launch party this Thursday at MOCAD.
WDET’s Travis Wright spoke about the project with ESSAY’D writer Matthew Piper
![](/media/wdet/assets/2016/08/02/Matthew_Piper_headshot.jpg?s=2bd480bc2236ae46573e&r=fit%7C450%7C1125)